President of the German Federal Republic (1984 -1994)

Dr. Richard von Weizsäcker is a highly respected senior politician statesman of world-renown. He is recognised for his very liberal views and has had a major impact on public opinion for a more open society, integration of foreign workers and social responsibility.

Drawing on 10 year's experience as a world leader Richard von Weizsäcker uses his political skills to show audiences how to turn confrontation into transformation. He explains how to overcome past mistakes and lead successfully in difficult situations.

He studied law and history at Oxford, Grenoble and Göttingen. He joined the Christian Democratic Party CDU in 1950. From 1969 - 1981 he was a member of the Bundestag, as such in 1973 he was Deputy Chairman of the CDU Bundestagsfraktion, and in 1979 he was President of the Bundestag. From 1981 - 1984 he was Governing Mayor of Berlin. 1984 he was elected President of the German Federal Republic and held this post until 1994.

As well as being a visiting professor, Dr von Weizsäcker also became one of the '3 Wise Men' who have been asked by the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, to make suggestions for reforming the institutions of the European Union to enable them to take on new member states.

His years as President also reflected his views to be accountable for the past, and not to deny the responsibility of the current German Democracy in dealings with other countries (Israel, Poland etc.).

His unique insights into European and World affairs combined with his liberal approach make Richard von Weizsäcker a highly sought after speaker at prestigious conferences throughout the globe. His informative and charismatic style have won him an outstanding reputation.